A New Entry in the Knives Out Franchise

The Knives Out franchise has quickly become one of the most reliable modern mystery series, blending classic whodunit structure with sharp social commentary and dark comedy. Following the success of Knives Out (2019) and Glass Onion (2022), expectations were understandably high for the third installment, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.

After watching the film, it is clear that while the ambition is there—and the cast is undeniably stacked—this entry does not quite live up to what fans of Benoit Blanc have come to expect.

An Ensemble Cast Packed With Hollywood Heavyweights

One of the film’s strongest assets is its cast. Wake Up Dead Man features a true who’s who of Hollywood talent, including:

• Daniel Craig
• Glenn Close
• Mila Kunis
• Kerry Washington
• Josh Brolin
• Jeremy Renner
• Andrew Scott
• Jeffrey Wright
• Thomas Haden Church

There is no question that a significant portion of the film’s budget went into assembling this ensemble, and it shows. Performances across the board are solid, with several actors delivering compelling monologues and dramatic moments. From an acting standpoint, the film is polished and professional.

A Darker, More Unconventional Mystery

Unlike the previous Knives Out films, this story takes a noticeably different approach. Daniel Craig returns as Benoit Blanc, but this time he is paired with a young priest with a deeply troubled and mysterious past. The priest is being framed for the murder at the center of the story—an “impossible crime” involving Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, portrayed by Josh Brolin.

Wicks is a cult-like religious leader whose congregation consists of six core followers, each wrestling with their own personal failures and emotional emptiness. Much of the film is spent exploring these characters individually, unpacking why they are drawn to Wicks and what they hope to find through faith and devotion.

Thematically, the movie digs into religion, belief, and the human desire for meaning—territory that is more serious and introspective than previous entries in the franchise.

A Narrative Choice That Holds the Film Back

The biggest issue with Wake Up Dead Man lies in its storytelling structure. Much of the film is narrated by the young priest, recounting events after they have already occurred at Benoit Blanc’s request. This narration dominates a large portion of the runtime and significantly dampens the suspense.

One of the strengths of earlier Knives Out movies was that viewers felt like active participants in the mystery, solving clues alongside Blanc. Here, that experience is largely absent. The revelation of the truth feels less earned because the audience was never truly given a fair chance to solve the crime.

Benoit Blanc Takes a Back Seat

Another surprising and frustrating choice is how the film handles its central character. Benoit Blanc feels oddly secondary throughout the movie. His arrival lacks the flair and clever justification that made his introductions so memorable in past films.

At times, it feels as though the story is more interested in its supporting characters than in Blanc himself. For a franchise built around Daniel Craig’s eccentric and brilliant detective, this shift is difficult to justify.

Final Verdict: A Missed Opportunity

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is not a bad movie, but it is a disappointing one. The acting is strong, the themes are interesting, and there are moments of sharp dark comedy. However, the narrative structure and sidelining of Benoit Blanc prevent it from reaching the heights of its predecessors.

If you loved the first two Knives Out films, they are still absolutely worth revisiting. This third entry may be worth watching out of curiosity, but if you miss it, you are not missing anything essential.

Rating: 7/10
An okay film with flashes of brilliance, but ultimately a letdown compared to the rest of the series.